North Korean diplomat in Cuba defected to South Korea in November, a possible blow to leader Kim Jong-un

South Korea’s spy agency said on Tuesday that a senior North Korea diplomat based in Cuba has fled to South Korea, the latest defection by members of the North's ruling elite that likely hurt leader Kim Jong-un's push to bolster his leadership.

The National Intelligence Service said media reports on the defection of a North Korean counselor of political affairs in Cuba were true. A brief statement by the NIS public affairs office gave no further details.

South Korea’s mass-circulation Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported earlier on Tuesday that diplomat Ri Il Kyu fled to South Korea with his wife and children in November.